I don’t believe in the pre-tribulation rapture. That said, if there is one, I am all aboard. Many say Christians will not suffer God’s wrath, wrath and tribulations are different. Paul, John, Peter, and many, many Christians have suffered tribulations.
The saints that judge with Jesus during the 1000 year reign come out of the tribulation.
Revelation 20:4 NASBS
Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Jesus told us:
Matthew 24:21-22 NASBS
For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. [22] Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Jesus also said:
Matthew 24:9-10 NASBS
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. [10] At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
I am also aware of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, but many stop and don’t include 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 are the verses that many base their belief in the rapture. Reading 5:1-6 sheds some light on 4:13-18.
Here’s my position. If I expect to go through trials and even though the tribulation and there is a rapture and I don’t have to go through the tribulation, no harm.
On the other hand, if someone believes they will not have to go through the tribulation because they expect the rapture and find themselves in the middle of the tribulation, they may fall away. They may become those Jesus spoke of:
Matthew 24:10 NASBS
At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
I pray that all come to faith in Jesus and stay true to that faith that their names are not erased.
Revelation 3:5 NASBS
He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
We must remember, there are those that will fall by the wayside. The Bible says so. It even says:
Proverbs 16:4 NASBS
The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.
You believe what you want bro.
We gird our loins and prepare for whatever may happen day in and day out. But Jesus and the Holy Spirit do not lie.
I’ve studied this for over 30 years. In Matthew 24, Jesus is not addressing the audience you think He is.
You quote Revelation 3:5, but conveniently leave out Revelation 3:10.
Here it is:
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth
We are not the “Earth Dwellers” that Revelation describes over 11 times. That’s a dead giveaway. But again, you can believe what you want.
I post these articles to give Hope to those who Long to Live with the Lord. Thankfully, there are many here on Free Republic who confess just that. I know I will see them all soon at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.
First, what in the world is the NASBS?
You ignore all the scriptural evidence FOR the Rapture of the Church, plus all of the typology found in the scriptures.
“On the other hand, if someone believes they will not have to go through the tribulation because they expect the rapture and find themselves in the middle of the tribulation, they may fall away.”
I agree with you. This is my concern. Years back I believed in the pre-trib rapture. I didn’t see it in the scriptures when I began studying it myself. Hope I’m wrong, but I don’t believe so.
Theres some evidence for pretrib and theres some evidence for people going through it. Certainly wouldn’t mind it being pre-trib. Wouldn’t mind if it was tonight. :)
https://gracethrufaith.com/series/understanding-the-olivet-discourse-parables/
This study may help clarify some of the parables.